Tottenham are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games, scoring 13 goals and conceding just four – and only Manchester United (two) have failed to score in fewer games than Spurs (three).

The White Hart Lane outfit have only conceded eight goals in their last 13 games, and have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight home matches against Newcastle.

Clint Dempsey (pictured right), likely to deputise for the injured Jermain Defoe up front, has five goals in his last seven games for Spurs, and netted for USA in midweek.

Spurs have won 77.7 per cent of the league matches in which Gareth Bale has scored, though only two of the Welshman’s 11 Premier League goals have come at home this season.

No side has averaged more shots at home than Tottenham (22.7 per game), while 74% of the north London club’s goals have been in the second half of matches.

Newcastle recorded their first back-to-back victories of the season against Aston Villa and Chelsea – before that, Alan Pardew’s side had lost six of their previous eight games. The Toon are 16/1 to win 2-1 with bet365.

The Magpies have conceded 23 goals in their last 10 games, despite their woodwork also being struck a league-high 16 times this season.

The St James’ Park outfit have averaged more long balls per game (73) than any other side in the Premier League.

Only Aston Villa (51) have received more yellow cards than Newcastle (49), while no player has been booked more often than James Perch (eight).

Newcastle’s 3-2 victory over Chelsea last Saturday was the first time in 27 months that they came from behind to win a Premier League match – the last occasion was a 2-1 win against West Ham in October 2010.

Players to watch

The January signing from Schalke has made an immediate impression on Tottenham, offering vision, movement and creativity to a side that had been devoid of ingenuity since the departures of Rafael van derVaart and LukaModric. The 22-year-old flutters into space, exploits gaps, recycles possession and threads passes. He found his target with 95% of his passes against West Brom, while only Gareth Bale played more passes in the final third.

Newcastle’s new recruit gave a stunning home debut against Chelsea, scoring twice and showing off his monstrous mix of pace, power and technique. The 23-year-old, playing in an advanced role just behind PapissCisse, has galvanised the ailing Magpies, helping them record back-to-back wins for the first time this year (having also notched an assist against Aston Villa). Sissoko’s bullish directness and raw speed could be too much for Tottenham to handle.

Editor's Prediction

Newcastle travel to north London with their confidence and optimism restored, though their attacking intent may be curbed by memories of the 5-0 mauling they suffered at White Hart Lane last year. Tottenham are in good form, unbeaten in nine games, but, with Jermain Defoe injured and Emmanuel Adebayor unlikely to start, their front-line lacks potency. If the Magpies can stop Gareth Bale, they can pick up at least a point.